Our little beanie's graduation!

......from an embryo to a fetus!

Beanie hit 9 weeks yesterday on Christmas Day :) As we had a Christmas Lunch at Aunty Emily's, we told the rest of them - Zack's extended family :) Aunty Emily was so sweet, the minute i arrived, she pulled me to her and asked if i'm pregant.. hahaha.. she looked so happy. Melvin (Zack's cousin) told her. Zack told Melvin last week and his reply was hilarious: "Congratulations and your nightmare has just begun." *guffaws* Melvin got a 5 month old baby boy :)

Melvin brought his 5-month old son along and was giving us lessons on how to carry the baby, things to take note of etc.. Zack is already very good at it but not me! I am terrified of carrying babies cos i'm afraid i'll drop them. Imagine dropping a baby! :S It's so sweet how little Ian went from uncle to uncle.. all of Zack's cousins seemed very good at handling babies. FYI, Zack's generation consists of 10 male cousins and only 2 female ones! And the next generation from the Chan family starts from little Ian.. a boy. So go figure which gender we most likely are expecting.. hahahha! Zack's hoping fervently for a gal but i'll be very surprised if it's a gal :P

As for mummy-to-be, i havent been feeling too awesome lately. The usual... queasy, indigestion, hungry all the time.. and lately, slight nauseous. I only puked the day when we came back from Maldives - must be the flight back. But have been gagging whenever i smell certain smells like cigs and some other stuff. I usually am able to hold it all in but i've been a mass of discomfort. It's like a vicious cycle.. i get REALLY hungry, then i eat.. then i get bloated and uncomfy.. after awhile, i get hungry again! On and on it goes.... Sometimes i wish i can puke, maybe it will make me feel better somewhat. But its all part and parcel of pregnancy and i'm kinda glad to feel this way, it makes it a little more real for me.. hahaha. Not that i need to puke to feel that way... i'm starting to have a pooch!!! As long as it's due to my uterus expanding and not my overeating :P

Let's just say i no longer look the same :P waist is thicker, a little tummy. I'm comforted to read on the birth club forums that other MTBs are like this too! And it seems that you will show faster if u are slimmer and its quite true, most of them are like UKsize 6/8.. i'm about there too.. so... hmmmm........

Gosh.. it's after lunch now and i'm really NOT feeling good.. it's like the food cant get down but all choked up along the oesophagus.. *sigh*

beanie at 9 weeks :)

How our beanie's growing:
Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain.

How your life's changing:
You still may not look pregnant even if your waist is thickening a bit. You probably feel pregnant, though. Not only are morning sickness and other physical symptoms out in full force for most women, but you may feel like an emotional pinball as well.

Mood swings are common now — it's perfectly normal to feel alternately elated and terrified about becoming a parent. Try to cut yourself some slack. Most women find that moodiness flares up at around six to ten weeks, eases up in the second trimester, and then reappears as pregnancy winds to a close.

Announcement time soon?

So i told the gals last sat! been wanting to tell them and it was nice letting them know :) While i'm SLOWLY trickling the news out to close friends.. Zack has been announcing it to everyone in sight.. *shake head*. His colleagues and even his trainees!

What happened to after our 1st trimester?? haha. He simply can't contain his excitement. While i'd prefer to wait a little while more, i'm letting him indulge (though i'm bursting at the seams too!). Well, it's not everyday you get to be a first-time dad/mum :P

So.. perhaps it's time i announce it on my other blog too? :)

Back from our 2nd visit to our ob! Dr Tee said we might hear beanie's heartbeat today! It was a long wait though as he left to do a delivery and we only got to see him at 9plus. We were both quite anxious when our turn was nearing. When the nurse told us we're next, Zack hurried me to keep my book.. hahahaha. He gancheong :) It was all good cos........

We saw our little beanie!!!

and its little heart thumping! *in wonder*

Size: 0.95cm

Dated: 7 weeks

Estimated Due Date: 30 July 2009

Dr Tee said a better gauge can be made between its 8 - 11 weeks but as of now, our EDD is 30 Jul 09. Beanie grew double its size within 2 weeks! and the sight of its little beating heart simply left me in awe and i just felt this gush of love.. It's such a miracle.. and i marveled.. our 2 hearts made this little heart... made with love, out of love :) We are blessed... immensely so.

*sappy* :)

Next appointment: 5 Jan 2009, 7.20pm

a sms...

"KKH reminds Huang Chaoran Juliana of appt on 11 Dec 08 07:25PM at KK Women's Clinic (Ang Mo Kio). Thank You."

like we will forget.. hehe. Zack was already reminding me yesterday morning while we got ready for work :)

yy is so cute.. asked me to sms her in the States after my appt.. hahah! And she will pop in here to see any updates first thing when she reaches office, which is tonight for us :) *hugs yy!*

i'm praying that we can see/hear our little beanie's heartbeat later.. *prays*

*excited and nervous*

me at 5 weeks 5 days...

.......soon it'll be a thing in the past!
cant wait for my bump! :)
but please dun tell me i look prego now cos any bump now is due to fats or water retention :S

At Week 7 :)

How our bean's growing
In theory your baby is still an embryo because it has the remains of a small tail, which will disappear in the next few weeks. But that's the only thing that's getting smaller. The heart and brain are becoming more complicated, the eyelid folds are forming, the tip of the nose is present, and the arms now bend at the elbows and curve slightly over the heart.

Now about half an inch / 1.25 centimeters long, the size of a grape, the embryo has distinct, slightly webbed fingers and toes. It's a jumping bean, moving in fits and starts. The liver is churning out large amounts of red blood cells until the bone marrow forms and takes over this role. The eighth week marks the beginning of a very busy developmental stage. Between now and 20 weeks, your baby will be growing rapidly, and body parts that formed in the first few weeks of life (such as the heart and brain) will become more specialized and complicated. Right now, the teeth and palate are forming, while the ears continue to develop. The fetus' skin is paper thin, and veins are clearly visible.

How your life's changing
You may not look or even feel pregnant, but your uterus is expanding to accommodate your growing baby. Before pregnancy it was the size of a clenched fist; now it's as big as a dragonfruit. As it grows you may feel some abdominal cramping and mild twinges.

In early pregnancy many women feel as if they are on an emotional rollercoaster - ecstatic to be pregnant one moment only to be in tears at the prospect of parenthood the next. The silliest things can set you off but you and your partner will be relieved to know that it's very common to have mood swings at this stage. A combination of surging hormones and worries about pregnancy and parenthood can also result in vivid dreams or insomnia. Try to relax and take time to unwind - it'll be good practice for the months to come. Though they're unsettling, emotional ups and downs can persist throughout your pregnancy and well after your baby's born so accept that you're bound to feel fragile occasionally.

As many as two in five pregnancies won't go much beyond this stage because they end in miscarriage: the first sign is usually vaginal bleeding. This can be devastating when you've got used to the idea that you're pregnant. Your doctor can deal with the physical aspects but try talking it over with your partner, who'll also be deeply affected, and with other women - you'll be surprised how many have had the same experience.

2 more days to week 7!

I cant wait til thursday, 11 Dec when we are due for our 2nd prenatal checkup! So hoping to see our little bean's heartbeat! Praying that our little bean is doing fine inside and growing a storm.

Havent been feeling too good lately. Fitful nights and not getting enough rest is getting to me.. plus appetite has been totally out of whack. I so wanna enjoy my food... *sigh* Went to see a doc on wed for a little cold, little did i know i was having a temp! So doc gave me 2 days of rest :) But i was a little stressed about missing work for 2 days.. so didnt really enjoyed my medical leave.. *sigh*

Zack said i had been sleeping alot lately.. haha. I think i have too... but i keep waking up in between :( Dunno what's the cause... hormones? anxiety? stress? In any case.. i need to take it easy... oh! i need more walks in the park! :)

We have been stocking our fridge with good food/fruits. Went grocery shopping and Zack added cherry tomatoes (so our little bean will have rosy cheeks).. carrots (so our little bean will have good eyesight). He said he is gonna peel them and make me eat them RAW! :S

It dawned on me yesterday.... that i cant eat sashimi for 9 months!!! i LOVE salmon sashimi! and we have a bottle of baileys in the fridge.. does it mean no baileys for 9 months as well??? i LOVE baileys with vanilla ice-cream! :(

okay.. i've whined enough.

So wanna tell the gals the good news :) But they dont seem interested in meeting up anytime soon and i'm not about to tell them over email. Maybe after 11 Dec.. i will have more ultrasound pics to show them too :)

Okay.. gotta go now! My darling is cooking me spaghetti! *beams*

Today i'm week 6!

How our little bean is growing:

This week's major developments: The nose, mouth, and ears that you'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where your baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body. His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, your baby is a quarter of an inch long, about the size of a lentil bean.

How your life's changing:

You may find yourself developing a bit of a split personality — feeling moody one day and joyful the next. Unsettling as this is (especially if you pride yourself on being in control), what you're going through is normal. Ricocheting emotions are caused partly by fluctuating hormones. But hormones aside, your life is about to change in a big way — and who wouldn't feel emotional about that?

Spotting (spots of blood on your underpants or toilet tissue after urinating) or bleeding is relatively common in early pregnancy, affecting up to a quarter of pregnant women. It may occur in a normal pregnancy, but sometimes it can be the first sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. If you have any spotting or bleeding, call your provider.

spreading our good news :)

Today.. i told Ching and YY! and Sylvia last friday..

omg.... their reaction were awesome! I think they are the most excited and animated ones by far.... hahahhaha! and trust me, you wouldnt think you're talking to yy! (she usually is a woman of FEW words on msn :P) She said she's so excited she wouldnt be able to sleep tonight.. hahaha.. she is in New York so it was night when i told her. And she already asked me if i want Gap or Ralph Lauren (not for me.. for my bean!).. awwww..... :) And Ching said she saw this really cute baby sandals in Sydney and would have bought that for our bean if i had told her before she left. "see beanie... you got so many aunties jie jies who dote on you even before you are born :)" It was so touching telling them cos seeing how happy and excited your friends are for you really is heartwarming and sweet *tears* Oh i really feel so loved........ *tears some more*

oh Zack also passed his IPPT!

without any prior exercise (in months), he was afraid he wouldnt pass, especially the 2.4km. But he passed! of crse he will... it's never a doubt to me he wouldnt. And he was telling me.. "few times i feel like stopping and give up but i think of you and our beanie and tell myself i must not give up.." That was the sweetest thing he said.... :) *sobs*hugs* i really did gave him a big hug and teared over him..

gosh..
i think my hormones are starting to rage.. but he's so sweet! Everyone is so sweeeet! *sniffs*

and i'm beginning to get tired. By 10+pm.... i'll feel totally beat. Like now, it's only 9+pm and i've been yawning my head off.

and stomach is starting to feel queasy :S

but it's okay... i'm willing to take on anything as long as our bean is healthy :)

alrighty, i'm gonna head off to bed.. our little beanie needs to sleep! Tomorrow will be the 6th week and little beanie got a lot of growing to do! :)

.......and my darling bought me birds nest :)
my nose prickled when i saw what he bought me.. he's like the most doting and loving hubby in the whole wide world! *muaks*



So how am i feeling today?
Nothing much.... just sore boobs which intensity varies.. and they are bigger now! haha!

Last night we had dinner with the guys and told them. They suspected all along.. hahaha.. not fun! Zack asked them if they wanna be godfathers! hahahha.. i think our little one will have many godfathers... cos Ant wants to be his/hers too! Oh yeah.. i havent told him yet. I'd better ask Ben and Ant out and tell them over dinner. Ben bugs me about a little zack/ju everytime i talk to him!

Showed them our ultrasound scan and their reaction was soooo funny!

fu: oh this is so cute!
mark: ehhh.... what can you see? there's nothing there.
fu: yah but its the thought that there is something there.

hahahhhaa!.. they finally saw it when i pointed it out to them. Can see what!

and........ this one... HAHHAHAHAH!

fu: hey we can do a baby shower!
mark: do you know that sounds so gay??

dun you love them??! :D

Sy was talking about wat baby shower too! i'm having a baby shower! *grins*


okay.. we are thinking too far ahead.
we'll fantasize after i pass my 1st trimester first.. which is about mid Jan 2009 - so long :(

our bean @ 4 weeks 6 days :)

Size: 0.57cm

Dr John Tee said i'm almost 5 weeks (Today!) cos i ovulated late. And our little bean's growth coincides with my cycle too. I think we conceived around our monthiversary (7th) :P

Our next appointment will be 11th Dec. We should be able to hear the heartbeat by then!

*praying and thanking God for this miracle*

(our bean) Gestational Sac:
A structure that develops in the uterus early in pregnancy, enclosing the developing baby and amniotic fluid.

In an ultrasound, the gestational sac should be visible by five weeks of pregnancy. Measurement of the gestational sac diameter (GS) should increase by about 1 mm per day in early pregnancy.

Our first appointment..

Date: 24 Nov 2008
Time: 7.10pm
Venue: KKH Clinic @ Ang Mo Kio
Ob/Gynae: Associate Prof John Tee



*praying fervently for a healthy bean*

.......and we told our family :)

Zack couldnt tahan... hahhahahahha!

my intention was wait til after 6 weeks and we confirmed it with a ob/gynae. But clearly my sweetheart cant wait to shout out from the mountain top.. *shake head* :)

So last night we arranged dinner with Zack's parents, and drinks with my darling Godma, Rachel and Andrew after.

It was so heart-warming and it brought tears to my eyes. Zack's parents were sooo happy.. especially Dad Lincoln, his face literally lighted up! Mum Elsie was dishing out advices.. she is pretty cool.. just asked me to be careful, eat healthy and natural food, cannot carry heavy stuff...

Oh my... Rachel and Godma had been bugging me since i asked for a drinks session. They guessed it! But we kept mum til we all sat down with our drinks.. hehe. The suspense was killing them.. Godma said she couldnt sleep all afternoon after getting my sms...hahhaa.

Their expressions when we finally spill it... was comical! I couldnt edge in a word.. they were so excited! And immediately warn Zack to take care of me.. and i cannot do this, cannot do that.. i must eat this, eat that. My mind was overloaded with information! Then Godma said.."I really pity you, cos you are getting advice from 2 women who have not given birth." Hahahaha! That's hilarious!

I LOVE THEM ALL! *tears*


and my darling said....

1) No caffeine (coffee, tea, coke.. only milo :S)
2) No heels
3) No... i cant remember wat's the last one. i got a list.... *grimace*

we're gonna tell the guys later tonight and i've already called Sy and told her! She guessed it! Said that's because she is a PSYCHIC *roll eyes* :P Mark and Fu guessed it too! When Zack said he got something to tell them :) These ppl ah... not fun one...... Okay, we are not gonna tell anyone else.. until we past... hmmm.... maybe 8 weeks. Maybe i will tell the gals next week? :)

and Zack was so cute... we went to Ikea before dinner and he was like, "We have to rehearse how we are gonna tell them." So over chicken wings, we were rehearsing our lines.. hahahaha! *muaks* i love you daddy! :)

AT WEEK 5

How our bean is growing:
Deep in your uterus your embryo is growing at a furious pace. At this point, he's about the size of a sesame seed, and he looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm — which will later form all of his organs and tissues.

The neural tube — from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — is starting to develop in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel.

His heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.) The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue.

The third layer, or endoderm, will house his lungs, intestines, and rudimentary urinary system, as well as his thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.

See what's going on in your uterus this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

How your life's changing:
You may notice some pregnancy-related discomforts already. Many women report sore breasts, fatigue, and frequent urination starting in the early weeks. You may also have nausea, though it's more likely to show up in the coming weeks.

The outside world won't see any sign of the dramatic developments taking place inside you — except that you're turning down that glass of wine with dinner, perhaps. It's important to avoid alcohol throughout your pregnancy since no one knows exactly how much — or how little — alcohol can harm a developing baby.

You'll also want to continue or start an exercise routine. Exercise helps you develop the strength and endurance you'll need to manage the extra weight you'll be carrying. It may help prevent some of the aches and pains of pregnancy, and many women find that it's a great stress-reducer. Exercise can also help you get ready for the physical rigors of labor.

Finally, it's easier to bounce back after you give birth if you've continued some form of exercise throughout pregnancy. Choose a safe, moderately vigorous activity you enjoy. Walking and swimming are fine choices for pregnant women.

Dads, there are plenty of ways to participate in your partner's pregnancy — even this early in the game. Check out these great tips on how to get involved.

today i'm 5 weeks 1 day pregnant and my darling bought me prenatal vitamins :)

everything still feels so surreal.. like it's a dream :) and i seriously cant believe it's happening! *pinch pinch*

Had a scare yesterday cos my boobs are not hurting as badly so i tot i was miscarrying! Then i went online to research and read my book, found out that it happens to alota women out there. Due to the fluctuations of hormones, the symptoms come and go.. and as long as there's no severe cramping and bleeding, there's nothing to worry about.

Okay... i'm only having light cramping (which is my uterus expanding) and some backaches. I even took another HPT and the line was visibly darker :P I know.. i'm paranoid. I'm just gonna pray and leave our little bean in God's mighty hands and meanwhile, do whatever i can to ensure that our little bean gets the best nutrition! I've oredi stocked up on milk, cereal, yoghurt, cheese, wholemeal bread etc.. it's a good thing i eat these pretty regularly so not much of a diet change for me. I just gotta remember NOT to skip my meals which is a normal occurance.

This morning i was telling Zack about this pre-natal vitamins and thinking of getting more. I showed him the bottle and asked him if the vitamins were sufficient. He said they should be and he went down to PP to draw money and came home with a pack! I was soo touched.. he is such a darling! :)

...and last friday, we went out to celebrate! Went to Kinukuniya and came home with these!

The Pregnancy Bible - What To Expect When You're Expecting


Zack cant resists this.... A Baby Name Book :)


Still early days so we're being cautiously optimistic.

Keeping it hush hush...

We havent told anyone yet.. it'll be our little secret for the next 1 week :) Then we'll tell our parents and close friends like the guys (Mark and Fu), Sy, Ching and the gals. Basically the first tier of people will be those we know will be happy for us and support us should anything bad happen. Then probably will do a broadcast when we are back from our holiday or maybe wait til we have past the 1st trimester. We'll see how it goes ;) I know Zack cant wait to shout out from the mountain top.. ahahahha!

Finding an Ob/Gynae...

Meanwhile, we are in a scurry to find a gynae! No actually it's just me! Zack is still so cool about it.. he said he can even tell me when my due date will be. But i NEED to see a gynae to be assured that everything is fine, take my HCG levels and that it's increasing properly. And i cant ask anyone for recommendation :(

Zack knows a very nice gynae but he has moved to Raffles Hospital from KKH. He said it's best to deliver at KKH cos it has the best facilities. Also, he decreed me to have a male gynae.. haha. But we are now contemplating Raffles Hospital cos of the gynae but... Raffles is gonna be ex though the service is top notch i heard. Zack was so sweet last night, he was like.. "...anything for your comfort." awww..... I dun need to be comfortable as long as the gynae is good and on the ball, not complacent.

Whoa.. this is a long post! I cant help it.. i'm so excited but there's no one for me to share and talk to! I was so tempted to tell Sy on friday and i was like.."There's something i wanna tell you but i cant. When i finally do, you must remember that i wanna tell you today okay. Dun ask what it is!" She must be thinking i got knocked hard on the head.. (oh no no, i just got knocked up!) hahhaha!

Alrighty, i gonna go taka a nap and grow my little bean.. hehe. Zack and i are going to Ikea later! We are already talking about which room would be the nursery.. hahha.

10.31pm
Ju: "I forgot to you that yr wife and little bean is at work oredi.. Muaks! You on yr way oredi?"

11.34pm
Zack: "I wanna tell u n our beanie that im at camp liao.. Hehe.. Muaks x2 for both of u... Hehe"


we're gonna celebrate later! *beams*

20 Nov.... our beautiful surprise came.

This month felt different... For one, by the time AF was about to come, my boobs hurts so badly and it's huge! Doesnt seem to be subsiding like usual. The soreness is much more pronounced. I dont have the usual intense cramps.. just light cramping. 2 days before AF was due, i got very light spotting about twice a day. Then zilch.. nothing. Implantation bleeding? Something was up.

So yesterday when AF doesnt seem anywhere near.. i tot maybe i should test? Or maybe i shall wait til Sat and not waste any tests. But.... i got a gut feeling... Zack was out with Himmah and Fandi at Arab St so i went on home to clean our new flooring. My bladder was bursting by 11pm and i dont wanna test without Zack so i peed in a cup and waited for him. He came home with the 2 gals at 11.30pm and we were happily exclaiming over our new floor. At the back of my mind was this little cup just waiting to be dipped in. With Zack mopping the floor, i slipped into the master toilet - decided to not chicken out and just take the test!

I remember so vividly as i stared at the window, the control line slowly appeared.. then a shadow of a line! Before the full control line appeared, a second line was staring at me.. and it got darker by the sec! It wasn't even faint! and i'm not even officially late - i think. OH MY GOSH..... I was stunned speechless for a minute and stared dumbly at the stick.. then it hit me.. i'm.. pregnant!... and i yelled for Zack.. (he tot i saw a cockroach i need him to kill, cos thats exactly how i yell for him whenever i see a cockroach..ahahaha) ran out of the room and found him in the toilet squeezing a mop. I just looked at him, laughed away, and waved the stick at him.

My gosh, i love the transformation on his face! He was stunned and he came out of the toilet (and left the water running). "You're pregnant?!" As comprehension sets in, he had the look of disbelief, then the purest joy and the biggest grin on his face and he hugged me so tightly. We both stood there in front of the toilet, laughing, hugging each other for the longest of time.. then i pulled away cos i wanna see if he was tearing! His eyes were wet! Awww...... mine was too.... It was such a beautiful moment for us both... he looked so happy, i dun think i've ever seen him looked this happy before.. the tender way he hugged and kissed me... *sigh*... i think this moment will be etched forever in my heart :)

Thereafter we just sat on the sofa in amazement... gazing rapturely at that beautiful pee-covered stick.

oh my gosh.....

*gasps*

i'm gonna be a mummy....!

nothing like this :)


Zack said he'll be feeding me cereal and milk every morning now *beams* i said i like my milk warm so he can warm it up every morning too.. and he replied, "Dont push it.." hahhahahah! *grins*

Just the previous night we dapaoed some burgers from 401 KPT (zack's old house at Hougang). It was so good that i regreted just buying 1 and teasingly asked Zack if he could go buy me another one. He said, "sure if you're pregnant." Wow.. So last night i asked him...

preggo ju: "Darling, i suddenly feel like eating 401 burger.. will you buy 1 for me please?"
doting hub zack: "Okay, i'll go and buy for you later :)"


WHOA! i LOVE being a preggo! *beams*

:)

20 Nov...

OMG!


*utter shock*

*speechless disbelief*

*tears of joy*

*heartful of love & thanksgiving*